Elevated Vacuolar Uptake of Fluorescently Labeled Antifungal Drug Caspofungin Predicts Echinocandin Resistance in Pathogenic Yeast
Qais Z. Jaber, Maayan Bibi, Ewa Księżopolska, Toni Gabaldón, Judith Berman, Micha Fridman
Abstract
strains carrying different β-glucan synthase mutations as well as clinical isolates, resistance correlated with increased fluorescent drug uptake into vacuoles. Fluorescent drug uptake also associated with elevated levels of chitin, a sugar polymer that increases cell-wall rigidity. Monitoring the intracellular uptake of fluorescent caspofungin provides a rapid and simple assay that can enable the prediction of echinocandin resistance, which is useful for research applications as well as for selecting the appropriate drugs for treatments of invasive fungal infections.
Topics & Concepts
CaspofunginEchinocandinEchinocandinsAntifungal drugBiologyVacuoleMicrobiologyBiochemistryCandida albicansAmphotericin BFluconazoleAntifungalCytoplasmAntifungal resistance and susceptibilityFungal Infections and StudiesNematode management and characterization studies